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Do not let mercy and truth forsake you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart,
so you will find favor and good understanding
    in the sight of God and man.

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May loyal love[a] and truth not forsake you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them upon your heart.
And you shall find favor and good sense[b]
    in the eyes of God and humankind.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:3 Or “kindness, mercy”
  2. Proverbs 3:4 Or “understanding, prudence”

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
    and the man who gets understanding;
14 for her benefit is more profitable than silver,
    and her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
    and all the things you may desire are not to be compared with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
    and in her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
    and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
    and happy is everyone who retains her.

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13 Happy is the one[a] who finds wisdom,
    and one who obtains understanding.
14 For her[b] income is better than the income of silver,
    and her revenue than that of gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
    and all your desires shall not compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
    and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life for those who seize her;
    those who take hold of her are considered happy.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:13 Literally “a man”
  2. Proverbs 3:14 Or “its”; both “wisdom” and “understanding” are feminine nouns and can be read as either “she” or “it”

35 The wise will inherit glory,
    but shame will be the legacy of fools.

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35 They will inherit the honor of the wise,
    but stubborn fools, disgrace.

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Wisdom is principal; therefore get wisdom.
    And with all your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
    she will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
    a crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

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The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom!
    With all that is in your possession, gain insight.
Cherish her and she will exalt you;
    she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will give a garland for your head;
    she shall bestow a crown of glory upon you.”

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The memory of the just is blessed,
    but the name of the wicked will rot.

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The memory of righteousness is like a blessing,
    but the name of the wicked will rot.

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16 A gracious woman retains honor,
    but ruthless men retain riches.

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16 A woman of grace receives honor,
    but the ruthless gets wealth.

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26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,
    but blessing will be upon the head of him who sells it.

27 He who diligently seeks good procures favor,
    but he who seeks mischief, it will come to him.

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26 He who withholds grain, the people curse him,
    but a blessing is for the head of him who sells.
27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
    but he who inquires of evil, it will come to him.

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A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
    but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

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For his mouth of good sense, a man will be recommended,
    but he who is of perverse mind[a] will be despised.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:8 Literally “heart”

He who is lightly esteemed and has a servant is better
    than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

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It is better to be lowly and a servant to someone[a]
    than self-glorifying and lacking food.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:9 Literally “for him,” “belonging to him”

15 Good understanding gives favor,
    but the way of transgressors is hard.

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15 Good sense grants favor,
    but the way of the faithless is coarse.

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18 Poverty and shame will be to him who refuses instruction,
    but he who regards reproof will be honored.

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18 Poverty and disgrace belong to him who ignores instruction,
    but he who guards reproof will be honored.

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35 The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
    but his wrath is against him who causes shame.

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35 The favor of a king is for the servant who deals wisely,
    but his wrath will be on him who acts shamefully.

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